Ballard School Blog- from nursery to GCSE in New Milton, Hampshire.

Off on an adventure! – Headmaster’s Blog – Wednesday 22nd June 2016

Off on an adventure!

I wonder what the word ‘adventure’ conjures up in your mind. Perhaps you think of a visit to a place to which you haven’t been. Possibly it’s a surprise present for a birthday – or a wedding anniversary. You may think of an imaginary adventure which you have read about in a book or possibly a dream you have of going somewhere once you have retired. In many cases an adventure will be to do with a journey, a place, a new beginning.

(Below we have some of our pictures from our Reflective Spaces week and blog from 2016)

I was interested to read in the Press last week that a poll had been conducted of British teenagers regarding the types of activities young people felt were adventurous. Whilst travelling and outdoor pursuits certainly ranked highly (67% and 51% for males respectively), as was overseas travel (67-68% for males / females) it was concerning to note that a significant number of 13 to 18 year olds (nearly 25%) believed they were embarking on an adventure simply by switching on a games console! Moreover, some 15% of boys and 10% of girls felt that it was an adventure staying up all night to play a computer game.

I do understand that some computer games can be exciting, not least if playing with ‘friends’ across continents via the internet, but I do worry if the main thrill a young person gets is from staying in their room and dealing with ‘adventures’ remotely and digitally.

Not everyone can have the opportunity to travel the world, to climb a remote mountain and to trek through remote jungles. For some, perhaps owing to a disability, their adventure will indeed lie between the covers of a book or in meeting a new person. I do hope, however, that all will want to push the boundaries a little in their lives beyond the comfort and security of their own bedroom or front room if they are so able. What about the adventure of a new language, a new friend (perhaps through an exchange programme), a tricky additional skill (as seen at Ballard recently with the building of F1 in schools cars) or a domestic endeavour such as learning how to bake a cake or cook a meal?